Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB VS DiMarzio Super Distortion (Comparison)
Our pick: The Seymour Duncan JB
Between these two bridge pickups, it's the Seymour Duncan JB that we think does a better job of cutting through the mix while not sounding too bright or overpowering. We like its tone a little better as it sounds warmer and more balanced. The Super Distortion was almost "too much", even on lower gain settings.
We don't often choose an alnico magnet over a ceramic magnet when comparing pickups. But, in this case, the Seymour Duncan JB just sounds better than the DiMarzio Super Distortion. The Super Distortion is designed for exactly what it sounds like; high-gain environments and thick layers of distortion. But we found it generally too bright and just too aggressive, even on more moderate gain settings.
The JB - on the other hand - struck a nice balance between sweet and searing, and seemed to do the job of a bridge pickup better than its DiMarzio alternative.
Both are decent pickups, but we'll give the edge to the JB in this particular comparison.
Seymour Duncan JB VS DiMarzio Super Distortion: Bridge Pickup Comparison
The SH-4 JB bridge humbucker is a little more expensive than the DP100, though the price difference isn't too significant. You can use the compare buttons here to see prices and specs, or you can use our Sweetwater buttons. Note that these help support our site, but at no extra cost to you. Thanks for reading and trusting us for gear help.
Pickups | Title | Rated | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Bridge Humbucker | n/a | |
 | DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion Bridge/Neck Humbucker | n/a |
These two demos provide pretty good examples of what we're talking about with each pickup. You'll hear some bite and aggression in the DiMarzio vid that feels untamed and a little bit too harsh. While the JB demo - a lower production quality offering, by the way - sounds more full, balanced, and seems to be a much more inviting overall tone.
Pickup Spec Sheet
The biggest spec sheet difference is that the DP100 uses ceramic magnets instead of an alnico bar. We usually like these better, but in a direct comparison of the two pickups - at least at the bridge position - the Alnico 5s in the JB humbucker sound a lot better. The rest of the specs sheet is more or less the same.
Header | SH-4 | DP100 |
|---|---|---|
Pickup Type | Humbucker | Humbucker |
Active/Passive | Passive | Passive |
Positions | Bridge | Bridge |
Magnet Type | Alnico 5 | Ceramic |
Number of Conductors | 4 conductor | 4 conductor |
Covering | None | None |
DC Resistance | 16.6k | 13.68k |
Which bridge pickup is better for you?
Comparison Summary
As with most pickup comparisons, it really just comes down to personal preference. Which one do you like better? We'd recommend listening to sound samples, perhaps the demos we've posted here, and making the call yourself.
Objectively, we think the JB set sounds better.
But if you feel differently, that's totally fine.
And it's worth noting that if you plan to use a lot of heavy distortion, the DiMarzio DP100 is definitely made for that particular task. In that case, you might want to consider ignoring our advice and going with the DP100.
But for most scenarios, we'll give the JB set the upper hand.
Questions about the pickups
Do you have questions about the Seymour Duncan JB or the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion? Maybe you disagree with our assessment?
Either way, leave us a line the comments section below and we'll figure it out.
See you there.
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Written by Bobby on Pickups and Roundups
Written by Bobby on Pickups and Roundups
The SD JB is not really an apples to apples comparison to the DM Super Distortion. A more appropriate SD humbucker is the Duncan Distortion. IMO, both humbuckers are quite similar to the point that I usually ask what is already installed and choose accordingly. The main difference between the two are the magnet polarity direction and wind direction. They’re opposites.
The difference comes not only to the Magnet in the 2 PUs but in the style of winding and number of winds each gets. The Dimarzio is meant to be a PU that uses a Hot Magnet and then dials it back in the number of winds to give a mid focused output with plenty of harmonics in the mids. That way it is a very pedal friendly PU meant to be put in a 80s Heavy Metal guitar rig. The JB on the other hand is a hotter wound PU with a decent magnet but is better suited for Driving an Amp due to having a more dynamic Low end. Sure you can use the JB for Heavy Metal and plenty do but intended use if for Jazz and Blues leads where a wider dynamic range is necessary when soloing in a less gain heavy rig. I’ve personally used both and when writing more Texas Blues stuff the JB is golden but I’ll always reach for my flying V with the SD in it when playing 80s metal covers because it just sounds better in that mix. It’s apples and oranges.
“The Super Distortion is designed for exactly what it sounds like; high-gain environments and thick layers of distortion. But we found it generally too bright and just too aggressive, even on more moderate gain settings.”
You’ve obviously never used the Super Distortion
Just let me have my moment. 😆
Opinion/other gear/subjectivity.